The Avalanche Roll In: Atlanta vs Colorado

Our boys just returned from a tough road trip out west. If you would have told me our guys would return from the trip and have 5 out of 8 possible points after playing the Ducks, Kings, Coyotes and Western Conference dominators, the Sharks...I would have laughed. Nice job guys!



We were hoping that maybe the Thrashers would think they were still on the road and play well. They have not had the best record of wins at home. It must have worked because the Thrashers won 4-3



On to warm up! Normally after a long road trip I would be missing my guys and be on their end snapping away and probably carrying some sign. BUT...my good buddy Candace is a huge Avs fan and an Ian Laperriere nut so I was on photo assignment in the enemy zone! I didn't mind too much, I wanted some good Budaj shots.




Awww, monkey see monkey do. The Thrashers have a little spring in their step from the road trip.






Peter Budaj, everyones favorite country music listening, Jesus and Tiger Woods loving goalie...wait that would actually probably be Carey Price, but Peter is up there!



Budaj has a really cool mask. I have no idea what's on the other side because every time I saw him, I got this shot, a big red Incredible Hulk. Of course on the back is his infamous Ned Flanders.

Hey cutie! You've got a nice smile, use it while you can. In about 20 minutes you are gonna get LIT UP!

Welcome back Stastny. This was Paul's first game back after missing some time with an injury.

Obligatory Moose shot. Ah, a happy smiling Moose.

Raycroft: Your girl looks pretty snazzy in her new Hedberg Jersey.

Moose: Yes, she does.

Raycroft: Why is she taking pictures of us?

Moose: For a friend.

Raycroft: Uh-huh

Moose: Seriously, her friend is a big Lappy fan.

Raycroft: So why is she so focused on Budaj?

Moose: Shut up.

And now it's time for the Ian Laperriere show. Lappy is a cutie. In fact, I bet when one day they return his nose to it's original shape and spot, he'll be down right hot. More importantly, he's a heck of a player, a hard worker and I have it on first hand knowledge that he's a good guy to boot. He was playing with some of the kids during warm up. Besides, who can shake off an Ilya Kovalchuk shot to the leg and return to the game in just a few minutes?

What an adorable smile!

Also a special request from Candace, Ryan Smyth. I think he's pretty attractive if he got a hair cut, but winged hair???

Raycroft warming up.




Check out this lucky shot I got. You can see the puck just about to go into Razors glove. I blew up the zoom of the glove shot and added it to the pic.

In Puck Bunny news, I have an award for the Avalanche......the most unattractive team in the NHL. Now before Candace has an aneurysm, let me explain. AS A WHOLE, this is a pretty unattractive team. Yes, you do have a few hotties, but not many. Sorry Candace :p





Who cares if they are attractive or not? They have the cutest fans on the face of the earth. Check out this little guy. He was wearing the teeniest little Sakic Jersey I've ever seen. I didn't know they made them that small. This is the baby that Lappy was making faces at. And yes, I asked permission for the pic.

On to the game. I had GREAT seats for the game, not great for pics though. I was six seats from the glass in the corner so I had a lot of poles in my way.

Drink up baby, you are gonna need it.

Some action after the face off.

Face off

Told you that you'd need it. Budaj having a drink after one of our goals

Inspiration time! During one of the intermissions they had athletes from the Special Olympics. This was particularly well timed for me because my husband has been BEGGING to teach me to ice skate, but I've just been too scared. I finally agreed to go but have still been really scared. Seeing these athletes perform Tuesday night really inspired me and made me feel like if they can do it, maybe I can do. Nice job guys!

Pairs performance

Everybody look at me

Cuz I am Garnett Exelby

Ex stretches before the next period starts

Way to go Kari! You've been playing great lately.

Ah, some discussion. I wonder who is in the middle?

It's my Bobo! :)

Blinding pain in 3...2....1

Ilya Kovalchuk is about to ruin Ian Laperriere's night. This picture was taken by eli on the Thrashers web board and he was nice enough to let me use it. He takes phenomenal pics.


Kovy has a wicked shot and Lappy just found out about it. When I saw him go down I thought "Candace is going to have a shit fit, and started snapping pics."

Refs checking on Lappy

This is my favorite picture because it shows what a good guy Kovy is. Kovy was very concerned about Laperriere and you could tell he felt bad.

I love this picture because it looks like Lappy is looking into the stands thinking "Damn, there really ISN'T anyone at this game.

Ilya: Dude, I'm sorry about that shot

Lappy: It's okay

Ilya: Are you sure? Does it still hurt?

Lappy: It's fine.

Ilya: I feel really bad, I...

Lappy: Dude, I'm trying to work

Oh Bobo :)

Bobo was on the ice several times and didn't pull a penalty the whole time. WOO HOO!!!

Oh yay, you scored. Big deal.

Thrashers win!